Grandpa Frank's Great Big Bucket List

LoveReading4Kids Says

Shortlisted for the Week Junior Book Awards 2023

Young Frank John Davenport is hit with two massive surprises in the opening of Jenny Pearson’s tremendously funny and touching new story. First, he learns that he’s been left £462,000 by a step-grandma he didn’t know he had, then that he has a grandpa. The two things are connected: there’s a condition to his grandma’s bequest and the money must be used for the care and well-being of his grandpa.

With his parents arguing about money and his dad’s dodgy dealings, Frank is only too happy to team up with Grandpa Frank and embark on delivering the best bucket list ever (whether that’s what his grandpa wants or not). The adventures that follow are very funny indeed and it’s testament to Jenny Pearson’s ability as a writer that no matter how unlikely the events, we go along with it all because it’s so deliciously enjoyable. The final scene features gangsters, a hot air balloon, the boss of the local geriatric synchronised swimming team, an enormous dog and Frank’s family – a denouement that delivers absolutely everything readers want. In addition to the comic brilliance, the book also delivers a tender depiction of inter-generational relationships, and a whole batch of important life lessons. One for fans of Frank Cottrell-Boyce, and recommendations come no higher.

Andrea Reece

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